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Welcome to historic Camp Chesterfield! Spiritual The Western Hotel // Built in 1945, this hotel was home to the Indiana Association of Spiritualists designed after the typical “roadside inns” of the era. (IAOS), Camp Chesterfield has been a “spiritual Equipped with a period lobby and art-deco check-in Historic center of light” for generations of Hoosier counter, it has two floors featuring both single and twin Spiritualists. The IAOS was first established in 1886 rooms with baths; the basement houses a large and Camp Chesterfield and moved to its current home at Camp Chesterfield spacious women’s dormitory that allows for communal in 1890. accommodations, and a smaller men’s dormitory. This A Spiritual Center of Light hotel boasts being the first fire-proof building in the state Camp Chesterfield is historically significant, listed as a of Indiana. historic district on the National Park Service’s “National Register of Historic Places.” The non-profit group, “Friends of Camp Chesterfield Foundation,” is working on projects to preserve the unique architecture of the numerous structures at Camp Chesterfield, and to foster its historical significance and cultural heritage to a wider audience around Indiana and beyond. Today, Camp Chesterfield is a flourishing Spiritualist community equipped with a welcome center for visitors, two hotels, a guesthouse, an administrative building for WELCOME CENTER / ADMINISTRATION OFFICE its educational program, a full-service cafeteria, a Phone: (765) 378-0235 spacious cathedral, a modern bookstore and library, an Fax: (765) 378-7133 art gallery and museum, and a quaint little chapel in the E-mail: admin@campchesterfield.net woods. Web: www.campchesterfield.net ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER Trail of Religion // Along the shady grove in the center Phone: (765) 378-0235 of the grounds is a semi-circular memorial unique to Camp Chesterfield called the “Trail of Religion.” TREE OF LIFE - BOOKS & GIFTS Dedicated in 1943 to the world’s great religious leaders, Phone: (765) 378-0236 this display features the limestone busts of Lao-Tse, WESTERN HOTEL Buddha, Confucius, Vardhammana, Osiris, Zoroaster, Phone: (765) 378-0237 Abraham, Mohammed, Zeus and Jesus, the Christ. DIRECTIONS TO CAMP CHESTERFIELD: ‣ Indiana I-69 – (South from Fort Wayne, North from Indianapolis) to Exit 34 (Anderson/Muncie). ‣ Take SR 32 West. ‣ Travel West on SR 32 to the third traffic light (Washington Street). ‣ Turn North or right onto Washington St. ‣ The entrance to Camp Chesterfield is one block North on Washington St. in Chesterfield, Indiana INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SPIRITUALISTS, INC. 50 Lincoln Drive, P.O. Box 132 Chesterfield, IN 46017 This brochure was made possible, in part, by a A Guide to Camp Chesterfield’s Historic “Historic Preservation Education Grant” sponsored by Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. Structures and Unique Religious Displays Dr. J. E. Hett Art Gallery and Museum // The Hett Art The Cathedral of the Woods // Over the years, Camp Maxon Cafeteria // The “Old Wooden Dining Hall” was Gallery and Museum was dedicated in 1955. This facility Chesterfield has witnessed the construction of three built in 1918, replacing an even older dining hall. This boasts a unique collection of Spiritualist-related primary structures in the same location where the new dining hall had brick ovens built behind the historical objects and artwork, including an outstanding current Cathedral is located. The original structure (circa structure to bake fresh bread and was used until the collection of original memorabilia from the Fox Sisters— 1891), the “Old Auditorium,” was initially a large tent with mid-1950s when the current Maxon Cafeteria was the founders of Spiritualism. As well, the museum a raised, wooden platform for message work. In 1903, it constructed. Today, the Maxon Cafeteria is a full- houses the largest collection in the world of original was replaced with a new building, which was called the service dining facility that also hosts social events, “precipitated spirit portraits” by the internationally “Second Auditorium.” This building stood until 1953 receptions, and large meetings. renowned “Bangs Sisters” who often summered at when it was razed to make way for the present Camp Chesterfield. structure, the “Cathedral of the Woods.” The Cathedral The Garden of Prayer and Sentinel Angel // Unique to was dedicated on June 26, 1954 and is used as a venue the state of Indiana, the “Garden of Prayer” is a prime for large gatherings. architectural example of a European-style grotto that was established as a site for spiritual meditation and religious devotion. Consisting of two rooms, it is equipped with altars and statues of Jesus Christ where devotees pray and light devotion candles. In 1940, the Sentinel Angel was placed outside the entrance of the Garden of Prayer as a memorial to the Mack Family. The Sunflower Hotel // This hotel was built in 1914 to help keep pace with the ever increasing number of Labyrinth // The labyrinth at Camp Chesterfield is people who needed lodging. The Sunflower Hotel was American Indian Memorial // Located on “Inspiration located on the former site of the “Ladies Bazaar” which considered to be a “modern” hotel, equipped with 70 Hill,” next to the Trail of Religion is a memorial erected stood from the early days of Camp Chesterfield’s rooms. Not in active use today, there are plans to to honor Native Americans. The statue features a life- formation, but was razed after a fire and many years of restore The Sunflower with the intention of returning it to sized figure of an American Indian atop an eight foot harsh weather conditions had taken its toll on this its original glory. pedestal, palms upturned, face looking toward the historic building. The public is welcome to walk the source of all light and life. Erected in 1940, the Native labyrinth anytime. American statue is a tribute to the deep connection Spiritualism has with Native American peoples. The Toad Stools // Camp Chesterfield began as an actual “camp” where visitors would come to have readings and attend message services in the open air. Eventually, the area called the “toad stools” was made to allow mediums to give messages to the many people who would visit the grounds during high season (June- The Chapel in the Woods // September). An early version of a “psychic fair,” this Regularly utilized for weekly historically and architecturally significant area served a church and message services, very important purpose in the history of the IAOS and the Chapel is at the heart of Camp Chesterfield. Camp Chesterfield, hosting many important events that take place on the grounds throughout the year. From weddings to funerals, ordinations to dedications, The Totem Pole // The majestic totem pole located on lectures to church and “Inspiration Hill” was originally commissioned in 1961 message services, “The Chapel and formally dedicated in 1962. The totem pole in the Woods” has been an represents the story of an eagle that discovered a integral part of Camp salmon. Reading the totem pole from the top to its Chesterfield’s religious and base, depicts an eagle, a salmon, a whale, a chief, and social life for many generations. finally, a bear..
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